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Bay cities council news

Silver Bay’s city administrator Lana Fralich said that 2014 has been a good year for the city, as it has received over $1.1 million in grant funding to help cover costs of projects and purchases.

Fralich said that a $515,000 grant for a public utilities project was approved by the Minnesota legislature and a $150,000 grant was awarded to the City by the IRRRB.

“We can credit Sen. Tom Bakk and Rep. David Dill for making this project possible,” she said, also noting that an additional $446,500 was received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase a new fire engine.

Thanks were also extended to U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, and Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar for their help with the grant. Both of these grants, Fralich said, will make it possible to improve City services to all residents.

“The public utilities grant will be used to improve our water infrastructure and will help keep water rates down, while the fire engine will improve capacity to our service area and safety for our firefighters,” she said.

Fralich also mentioned that a $10,000 grant from Minnesota Energy was awarded to the City to assist with the purchase of the new fire engine. The council thanked Fralich for her time and expertise in writing the grant applications.

Happy birthday, Rocky Taconite!

In other news, the council acknowledged that Silver Bay’s Rocky Taconite statue will turn 50 this year. The icon was erected in 1964 proclaiming the City of Silver Bay as “Taconite Capital of the World.” Recognition of Rocky’s birthday will be part of the Bay Day’s celebration this summer.

Watershed discussions to be held

The Lake Superior South Watershed District will hold a series of meetings designed to inform the public of the results of extensive monitoring of many rivers and lakes along the North Shore. Meetings will be held Saturday, June 14 at 12 p.m., at Cove Point Lodge in Beaver Bay, at 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 16 at the AmericInn in Silver Bay, Thursday, June 19 at 11:30 a.m. at the Finland Community Center and Tuesday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m., at the Two Harbors Community Center.

Beaver Bay council notes

The Beaver Bay city council unanimously approved resolution 2014-1006, formally requesting Lake County Forestry to withhold the sale of a tax forfeited parcel located within the city limits. The resolution stated that the City is requesting the conveyance in order to consolidate several municipal sewer lift stations.

Finally, a motion was made by councilor Steve Nazian to approve an economic development loan in the amount of $15,000 to Camp 61. Nazian said the loan will be 36 months in duration at 3.5 percent interest. The motion carried.